2 dead, 1 hurt in Lake Shore Drive crash

Two people were killed and another seriously hurt in a two-car accident that forced closure of a portion of rain-slickened North Lake Shore Drive early this morning, officials said.

The crash happened at about 3 a.m. and involved a 1998 BMW sedan and a 2004 Chrysler Crossfire hatchback traveling at a "high rate of speed," said Chicago Police Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti.

The cars lost control and collided with each other, Ursitti said. There was a driver with a passenger in the BMW and the just a driver in the Chrysler.

The passenger -- identified as Nicholas Shaner, 20, of the 4000 block of North Sacramento Avenue -- was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver of the of the Chrysler -- Brett Goldstandt, 21, of the 1300 block of North Hoyne Avenue -- died at 2:39 p.m. at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. The BMW's driver was taken to Illinois Masonic in serious-to-critical condition after the crash, fire officials said.

The police major accident investigation unit is investigating the crash.